Isn't it all wonderful how the Spirit responds? It is not me it is the Spirit, the Spirit.
- Evan Roberts
As a coal miner with no formal theological or ministerial training, in his mid-twenties Evan Roberts became the defacto leader of the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival. Then considered by some the most famous man in the world, Roberts worked tirelessly to encourage and enlarge a revival that in a year's time saw 100,000 converted in Wales and subsequently more than a million in Britain. After which missionaries carried the message to "Scandinavia, parts of Europe, North America, the mission fields of India and the Orient, Africa and Latin America."
Embers from the Welsh Revival may have also helped ignite the 1906 Azusa Street Revival in southern California that would in turn give birth to modern Charismatic Christianity. No small force, currently numbering over 580 million and thereby making up a quarter of Christendom worldwide.
Among Evan Roberts' most notable achievements was the adaptation of four clear and concise steps critical in growing in the kind of Christian discipleship and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit that was the hallmark of his, and every true revival.
The 4-step message Evan Roberts lived and preached during the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival may rank as the most uncomplicated and astute guideline for genuinely and appropriately approaching God.
Regarding the revival, Wikipedia explains:
- “The revival lasted less than a year, but in that time 100,000 people were converted. Begun as an effort to kindle non-denominational, non-sectarian spirituality, the Welsh revival of 1904-05 coincided with the rise of the labour movement, socialism, and a general disaffection with religion among the working class and youths. Placed in context, the short-lived revival appears as both a climax for Nonconformism and a flashpoint of change in Welsh religious life. The movement spread to Scotland and England, with estimates that a million people were converted in Britain. Missionaries subsequently carried the movement abroad; it was especially influential on the Pentecostal movement emerging in California."
1. Confess any known sin to God and put any wrong done to others right.
2. Put away any doubtful habit.
3. Obey the Spirit promptly.
4. Confess your faith in Christ publicly.
Would be Prophetic Christians do well to ponder the lives and accomplishments of greats like Charles Finney, George Müller and Evan Roberts. While currently lacking the power of such men, we can certainly follow in the footsteps of their wisdom. QC particularly recommends considering adopting a lifestyle marked by Evan Roberts 4 step process of developing sanctification and spiritual sensitivity.
As they say, "The candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long. Often true of not only revivals, but their leaders. A sad yet honorable fate, one experienced shortly thereafter by African American pastor William J. Seymour, the founder of the American Azusa Street Revival in 1906. In Robert's case, accomplishing such great things in so short a span took its toll. His rigorous schedule of revival zeal left the godly young man completely spent. As Wikipedia reports:
- In 1906, suffered a physical and emotional collapse. Evan retained his faith though clearly suffered from depression. He found some solace in writing poetry. A number of letters reflect that he retained his deep faith. He developed a discipline to his life as he turned to prayer as his main ministry.
- Though a Welsh speaker Evan convalesced in England. He lived in Brighton for some years from 1921. People longed for Roberts to return to Wales. But he became convinced that the work of intercession was vital. He gave himself to prayer and believed that he reached more this way. There are several accounts of how he continued the mission especially on his knees and with his publications that encouraged the missionary growth of the 20th century. Some felt hurt that he had somehow abandoned Wales. He had been concerned that some of the excesses of the revival were not of God.
While clearly a principle player in the extraordinary Welsh Revival, Evan Roberts was only one of many dedicated Christians responsible for ushering in and overseeing such a clearly miraculous move of God. Similarly, it behoves each of us to give our all for the cause of Christ. For the sake of our own souls and those of others. Preferably in groups of two or more, since a Kingdom quorum is far more preferable than an ill fated army of one.
Science is revealing the correlation between connectivity and causation as quantum truths. An important principle in both the physical and spiritual world. While working together can be challenging, in regards to the unity of diversity the New Testament likens Christ’s Kingdom to a single body comprised of a myriad of parts functioning as a cohesive whole. Thus we all have vital roles to play. Ones in which we are far stronger together. As Scripture attests:
- “I’ll make the country a place of peace—you’ll be able to go to sleep at night without fear; I’ll get rid of the wild beasts; I’ll eliminate war. You’ll chase out your enemies and defeat them: Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand and do away with them. I’ll give you my full attention: I’ll make sure you prosper, make sure you grow in numbers, and keep my covenant with you in good working order.” Leviticus 26:8-10 The Message
Rise up O men of God
Have done with lesser things
Give heart and soul and mind and strength
To serve the King of Kings
To serve the King of Kings
Rise up O men of God
His Kingdom tarries long
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong
And end the night of wrong
Rise up O men of God
The Church for you doth wait
Send forth to serve the needs of men
In Christ our strength is great
In Christ our strength is great
Lift high the Cross of Christ
Tread where His feet have trod
As brothers of the Son of Man
Rise up O men of God
Rise up O men of God
Our response, or lack thereof, to the cause of Christ on behalf of humanity holds equally great and grave potential. In both time and eternity. Through chains of causation, the rise or fall of friends and family, society and entire generations rests in our hands. As exemplified in the old proverb, For Want of a Nail:
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the message was lost.
For want of a message the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
While partial visible today, only eternity will reveal the full extent of all that has been forever lost for want of honest and vigorous prayer and Bible study, discipleship and evangelism.
In the movie First Knight King Arthur, as portrayed by Sean Connery, invokes the following prayer over the Round Table: “May God grant us the wisdom to discover the right, the will to choose it and the strength to make it endure.” May we do the same as together we continually ask, seek and knock in hopes of experiencing noting less than the full potential of being “partakers of Christ."
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